National 5th Grade Essay Contest Entry Form

National 5th Grade Essay Contest Entry Form

"What My Mother Means to Me"
Eligible Students: Must be in fifth grade or its equivalent

Title of Essay: “What My Mother Means to Me”

Time Frame:
- August 15: Contest Opens
- December 15 at 11:59 PT: Last day for essays to be submitted electronically via americanmothers.org
- March 1: State Winners and National Winner Announced
Requirements: Please be careful to follow all rules as non-compliant essays will be disqualified.
1. Essay must be child’s own work and handwritten on one side of an 8.5 x 11 piece of lined,wide ruled paper.
2. Must have at least a 1-inch margin all around
3. Must be 150 words or less (not including title)
4. May not have name of writer or writer’s mother on the essay page (only on the entry form).
5. Entrants may use a dictionary, but the essay must be the student's own work.
6. Entry information and release must be completed online with submission of the essay.
Judged on:
- Content and focus — How well the essay tells the reader about the writer’s mother.
- Organization of essay — How well the story flows.
- Word choice and style — How creatively and well words are used.
- Sentence fluency — How well the writer says exactly what is intended. Does the essay engage the reader and advance the idea?
- Mechanics — Obey rules of writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Judged by: Entries received from a state with an active American Mothers, Inc. association will be judged by a panel of representatives in that state. Entries received from a state where there is not an active association will be judged by a panel of representatives from across the country. National judges select the national winner from state-winning entries. National judges may disqualify state winners based on failure to comply with criteria listed above. Decision of the judges is final.

Winners: All state winners will receive a certificate from the National Office in Washington, DC. State associations of American Mothers, Inc. may elect to honor the winner from their state with a ceremony or award. The National winner will be invited to read their essay at the American Mothers National Convention in the Spring. They will also select a 501(c)(3) organization that benefits mothers and/or children. American Mothers will award this nonprofit organization a $500 Golden Rule Grant in honor of the winner.

For more information about American Mothers, Inc.®visit AmericanMothers.org

Student's Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Is the student in 5th grade or it's equivalent?*

YesNo
Student Age*
Student Home Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Name of Student's School *
If home school, please indicate
Name of Student's Teacher
Teacher's Email Address
example@example.com
Parent's Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent Primary Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Parent Secondary Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Parent Email Address*
example@example.com
Essay Entry

Browse Files
Upload a scan of the handwritten essay entry here. Cancelof
Student Photo

Browse Files
Upload a photo of the student here. Cancelof
I certify that the essay is handwritten, completely the student's own work and meets the 150 word or less requirement.*

YesNo
AUTHORIZATION OF RELEASE : I understand and agree that this entry will now become the property of and all copyrights will belong to American Mothers, Inc.® (hereafter AMI). The entrant grants permission for AMI to publish in its magazine or promotional materials as well as on its internet site, all or part of the submitted essay and to use the entrant’s name and photo. Winning entries, and the names of all the final essay winners, will be used all without royalty or other consideration to the entrant.*

I agreeI do not agree
Name of Person Submitting Essay Entry*
Relationship to Student*
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